Along the river and toward the mountains a morning shadow shimmers across the road. The rays of the first light jet through the trees and across a figure gliding upon the road. His breath trails in short spurts, petrified as it hits the icy air. All is quiet except the slight sound of the athlete as he summons himself for yet another days work. Soon the rest of the world will bustle with life as well and the brief simplicity of cyclist and nature will disappear into the everyday struggle of life in full motion; the errands and intervals, the appointments and intersections, and the deadlines and finish lines OutPaceTheRace

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Mid Pacific

Hilo, HawaiiTuesday, December 11, 2007

Hilo doesn’t get much credit for what it actually is. It’s the only locally owned plot of ground in the Hawaiian Islands. It has managed to retain all of its original splendor and contrary to the cultural standpoint of the other islands, it hasn’t lost any of the “aloha” spirit- which is to say that pretty much anyone is welcome provided they’re coming with the same idea in mind. I could imagine that the philosophy could turn bitter pretty quick with a barrage of choice words via the mouth of a stateside proprietor. But they don’t seem to fire until fired upon, if you know what I’m say’n.I’ve been to all the Islands and I’ve never felt this way before. The place literally calls to you; it’s such a beguiling place. The people are actually at home here, they don’t have anything to prove, they’ve got what they want and they’re content with how they got it and where their course in life is leading. The course of which will lead them to a life spent in paradise. It’s a bit droll ‘cause 87 miles from Hilo on the other side of the island is Kona, where the price of a 300 square foot condo goes for that which you can retire on, compared with the price in Hilo... synonymous with that of the condemned.You think when you get to Hawaii first of the endless beaches of perfection, right? In Hilo these beaches come at a steep price, unless a swimmer of strength you are. The best water hole I’ve ever swam in is in Hilo. And believe it or not, it hasn’t much of a beach. There’s about a 15 foot sanded entrance to a lagoon that’s otherwise surrounded by “rocky beach” before heading out to the open sea. There’re fish ‘n’ turtles, waves, clear water, etc., etc. It’s great if you’re ready to brave the elements, otherwise…